Fluid pressure operated curb press



June 8, 1937. F. MaoMlLLlN ET AL 2,083,032

FLUID PRESSURE OPERATED CURB PRESS Filed Oct. 10, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet l/a /7 25 I9 -/6 /5. 2a 20 24 W Q INVENTORS HOWARD F MAc MILL/N LEsL/E J.HUBBERT A TTOR NE Y.

June 8, 1937.

H. F. M MlLLlN ET AL FLUID PRESSURE OPERATED CURB PRESS Fil ed Oct. 10

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 1X! 'EXTORJ How/mo E MAc MILL/N Lssus 3. HUBBEHT ATTORXE) I Patented June 8, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,083,032rwm PRESSURE OPERATED cums muss Delaware Application October 10, 1932,Serial No. 637,110

2 Claims.

' The invention to be hereinafter described relates to fluid pressureoperated curb presses.

This type of press has wide use for extracting grease, oil, etc., fromthe waste in packing plants; and for extracting oil from fish in thefish industry. While the above uses are general and wide spread,applicants refer to them merely as illustrations of several uses of theinvention. There are many other uses. In using such 'presses. in packingplants, the curb or cage is charged with the'material and pressureapplied to extract the grease or oil which flows away through suitabledrains. As is well known, heat assists extraction of oils, grease, etc.Accordingly, it is usual to provide a steam Jacket or the like to heatthe contents of the curb, during the operation. Near or at the baseofthe curb, a reservoir or saucer is provided to gather the accumulation,between the periods of removal. Necessarily, pressing to extract grease,oil, etc.,

, is far slower than pressing for the purpose of compressing or reducingsize. The grease or oil must be given time to fiow. So, since eachpressing operation must be slow, it is desirable to have the curb ascompletely and as compactly filled as practicable, before the pressingstarts. At the present time, in one type of .curb press, the curb isfirst loosely filled by simply dumping or otherwise filling the materialin from the top, either through an opening through the head .of themachine, or directly into the upper open end of the curb or cage. Whenthus loosely filled, the upper plunger or ram head is swung over theopen end of the curb and the whole curb and contents is lifted up, bypower, against it, to tamp the contents. This is repeated as often asdesired. Among the serious disadvantages of such a construction are thetotal lifting of the entire curb and all its contents for every tampingof the contents. .Other obvious disadvantages are the multiplicity ofoperating parts and their controls.

The main purposes, of the-present invention are to overcome the aboveand other objections and provide a simple, eificient, compact, and 45economical curb press which will answer fully all possible requirements.c

In order to more clearly disclose the construction, operation, and useof the invention, reference should be had to the, accompanying drawingsforming part of the present application.

Throughout the several figures of the drawings, like referencecharacters designate the same partsin the several views.

In the drawings: Fig. 1 is a central vertical cross section;

' mounted on a suitable base or framework vary- Fig. 2 is a top planview of the curb;'

Fig. 3 is a central vertical cross section of the curb; and

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary detail of the curb struc! ture.

For purposes of illustration, a simple, medium sized press has beenshown, of the type used in packing plants. The operation andconstruction of the compressing or extracting plunger is well known andneed not be referred to in detail. It will, therefore, be mentioned onlyin brief orskel eton statement. The power may be air,-s team, water orany other fluid, and controlled in any well known manner. The term fluidwill be understood as including all such, whether liquid or 15 gaseous.Obviously too, a wide.range of materials, designs, and proportions maybe resorted to according to the work to be done by the particular press.

Such machinery, of'course, when installed, is

ing according to the \particular circumstances. No such foundation orframework is shown, as those skilled in the art will readily supply theone desired, according to individual taste and re- 25 quirements.

Referring to the drawings in detail, I indicates the cylindrical orother shaped metal body or press chamber of the press. It is formed withparallel longitudinal or vertical grooves 2, or 0 channels, separated bywebs or ribs 3, for a. purpose to be later disclosed. Within the presschamber or body l is mounted the curb or cage which really constitutes aliner or inner sleeve for the chamber. It is made of a plurality of 3spaced narrow plates 4 shaped tofitthe inside Wall of the press body(here shown as cylindrical). To the inner, faces or edges of theseplates are welded or otherwise secured a plurality of strong metalstaves 5 extending, preferably, the 40 to provide very narrow verticalor lengthwise openings through the inner or operative. wall of the,curb-between the successive staves. The staves, as shown in thedrawings, especially Fig. 50 4, may be of the same horizontal widththroughout, outwardly from the centre of the press chamber. This wouldresult in the inner curbwall of each stave having the same width as theouter curb wall of the same stave. The staves, 55

to give the desired strength, must be of appreciable dimensions,outwardly from the centre of the press chamber. Consequently, thedistance between the inner and outer face of each stave, in acylindrical press chamber, the width of those two faces being the same,results in greater spacing between the outer or rear vertical edges ofadjacent staves than between the corresponding inner vertical edges. Thespaces between staves in cylindrical press chambers are wedges or wedgeshaped, increasing in radially outward di-' rection; Obviously, materialforced through the inner and narrower openings will have increasinglygreater freedom of passage outwardly. The curb, therefore, is selfclearing and cannot become choked or clogged. To support the curb inplace, so that it will not drop through the chamber, each web or rib 3,or a considerable number of them, is provided with a shoulder 6 sopositioned as to engage the lower horizontal band or plate 4, as thecurb or cage ,becomes completely seated-actually, the curb seats,vertically, on those shoulders. To prevent the curb being carriedupwardly out of position, during operation of the press, a retainer baror plate 1 is provided.

The upper end of the body I is bored out, in the case illustrated, andthreaded internally to receive this plate flush with the press chamberend.

It extends inwardly to partially overlie the upper 0 ends of the staves5. To the extent that it does so overlie the staves, each stave isnotched to provide a shoulder, the depth of the notches being such as toexactly receive the plate flush with the stave end when it is screwed inand seated flush with the press chamber end. So, when the curb has beenseated on shoulders 6, and the plate 1 has been made flush with thepress chamber end, the curb will extend from end to end thereof, flushwith the ends and will present a continuous self-clearing grid orstrainer surface.

The lower ends of the grooves or channels 2 are open, as clearly shown.To allow quick and free escape of air upwardly through the channels 2,during pressing, the retainer plate may be pro- 5 vided with suitableopenings 48, preferably, one above the upper end of each of the grooves.

After considerable use, if it is desired to clean the curb, or thechamber, or both, it is only nec- 0 essary to remove plate I and removethe curb.

Or they may be cleaned in place by a jet. Also, in case of repair, orrenewal, or change, the curb is quickly and easily removable.

In order to warm the contents of the curb during pressing, to assist theflow, it is steam-jacketed in usual manner, as is. well understood. Inthis instance, the wall is cored out to form a steam chamber 8, leavinga partition or web 9 to assure circulationthe steam inlet being con- 0nected at one side of the web and the outlet at the opposite side,though not necessarily very close to the web. The outer wall of thesteam chamber is formed by a sheet metal plate l0 welded or otherwisesuitably secured in place. 65 To properly insulate this steam jacket, anair chamberor space H is provided by securing an asbestos backed orcovered shell or sheet metal plate I 2 to the press chamber, slightlyspaced relatively to the plate Ill. The asbestos may be 70 as a separatesheetagainst the plate i2, it may.

be as a layer or coating on the plate, or it may g be entirelyindependent. One eflicient arrangepipe I 3, passing about the body orpress chamber to the opposite side of the web 9. Near the web 9 but atthe opposite side to the inlet, is an outlet pipe l4. That heats thepress chamber, only, however.

To receive and accumulate the liquid pressed out, a reservoir I5 isprovided. It has an outlet 4|, bywhich the entire contents may beperiodically drawn off. This reservoir may be in the form of a U-shapedchannel of an annular saucer having an outer wall or flange I1 and beingof form and dimensions as indicated at 41 adapted to fit snugly betweenthe strain rods to seat on the collars 28 thereof, and engage the loweredge of the press chamber at points 8 to support it. Fitting of thesaucer wall snugly about the strain rods also acts to definitely retainthe saucer in proper operative position, as will be understood.Corresponding to the wall H and forming the opposite leg of theU-channel, is the inner wall or flange I9. Chilling of oil or grease inthe saucer causes clogging and interruption of production. To avoidthis, the saucer I5 is heated by a steam chamber 20 underlying theU-shaped channel l6. Steam for heating this chamber is led from theoutlet H, through a pipe 2|. After circulating through chamber 20, thesteam exhausts through the outlet 26. Pipe 2|, leading from the outletl4, as will be seen, connects to the inlet pipe 22, leading into thechamber 20 beneath the saucer channel IS. The central opening throughthe saucer is large enough to fully receive the main plunger 23 of thepress, as

it operates, but of considerably less area than the inside cross sectionof the cage or curb. Likewise, the inside cross section of the curb isof substantially the same cross sectional area as that of the ram headcarried by the main operating plunger. But, the outside dimension of theflange I9 is considerably less than the inside dimension of the curb.So, the plunger or piston 23 carries a ram head 24 having a maximum areasubstantially equal to the inside cross section of the curb. This head,therefore, extends outwardly beyond the piston and beyond flange l9.Where it overlaps flange l9 it is provided with a skirt flange 25, thetwo flanges cooperating to form a closure or seal to lessen chance ofback flow of the saucer contents between the flange l9 and piston.

Suitable strain rods 21 are provided for assembling and for sustainingthe operating strains, babbitted guide blocks on the chamber serving tomaintain it in proper position relatively to the rods and other parts ofthe press,

in well known manner.

Removably connected to the lower ends of the strain rods, through anysuitable means, is the power or pressure chamber 29 in which the mainplunger or piston operates in usual and well known manner, fluidpressure being alternately admitted to and exhausted from the lower sideof the plunger at aperture by operation of the well known two-wayvalvewhlch requires no further disclosure.

The press head 30 with filling opening 3| is mounted in usual and wellknown manner, on

the upper ends of the strain rods above the curb, which may be filledthrough such opening. In the present invention, the head of the presscarries a laterally traverslble head-ram head which, in turn, carries,therewithin, a vertically reciprocable tamping plunger for repeatedlydownwardly tamping the curb contents. To the underside of the presshead, are secured suitable tracks 32 which are extended far enough toenable the ram head to be run bodily out from above the curb end, as.will be clearly understood.

Suitable rollers, wheels, or other anti-friction I devices 33,travelling freely on said rails and secured to the upper part of the ramhead 34, carry it back and forth as desired. When in position directlyabove the curb, it may cooperate with plunger 23 in the operation of thepress in the well known manner. Within the body of the ram head 34 isthe cylinder 35 of the tamping mechanism. This comprises a piston 36reciprocable within cylinder 35, with a piston rod 31 1 actuallycomprises the central portion of the ram head 34 and that it isshouldered to seat on cooperating shoulders of the ram head so that itcan not be forced beyond a predetermined upward position relatively tothat ram head. The piston is reciprocated by fluid pressure admitted toand exhausted from the cylinder through suitable ports 39 and 40. Theseports each are both inlet "and exhaust, alternately, as will be readilyunderstood. Fluid pressure is alternately admitted to and exhausted fromthem by the well known four-way .valve commonly used in 35 the pressindustry. These fluid pressure circuits and the four-way valve controlare well known in the art and need no further disclosure or illustrationhere.

It will be noticed that the body of the saucer is of appreciably greaterdimension than the in- 40 terior of the press chamber. At the pointwhere the press is mounted on its strain rods, however, the saucerdimension must be reduced to that of the exterior of the press chamber.

0n reference to Fig. 1 it will be seen that the ram head 34 is slightlygreater in area than the inside area of the curb-cross sectional area.

It overlaps the retaining plate.

makes a very complete and sure closure and avoids possible squeezing outof the material of the cake between the apposed heads.. Also, whenoperating at maximum capacity, should there be any tendency to carry thepress chamber upwardly with the main ram head, it will be positivelyengaged and stopped by the ram head 34, as will be obvious, so thatthere will be no lost motion and no defective operation.

It will be seen that the construction disclosed enables maximum capacitywith minimum power consumption. In the tamping operation neither thepress chamber nor its contents is lifted. The small tamping head iscapable of relatively high speed operation and, being the only partpoweroperatedin tamping, it consumes the minimum 65 of power. So, everycharge of the curb may be completed in the least time; every charge maybe the greatest possible contents and compactness of the material in itscurb, and every charge may utilize the least power consumption. Onereason 74;} for lower power use is that this press, in itstampingoperations, cooperates with gravity instead of operating against it. i

It will be seen that the total number of parts is very small and thateach part is very simple, 75 giving a total machine assembly ofapproximately This overlap this ram head is now out of the path of thepressmaximum simplicity, efliciency and economy, with minimumconstruction, operation and upkeep.

Friction, and the consequent wear by friction are greatly reduced, firstby reducing the number of relatively moving parts; second, by reducingthe size and contact areas of those parts; and, third, by reducing theload.

The assembly is extremely simple. The saucer is separate from thechamber which simply sets on it. The upper ram head and tamping head area unit carried by and quickly removable from the head. The headisslipped on one end of the strain rods and the main cylinder with itspiston and ram head are slipped on the opposite ends.

Briefly, the operation of the invention is as followsZ-Assume that thepress has been erected and is ready for operation. The parts will be inthe positions shown in Fig. l. #Ram head 34 is traversed bodily, frombetween the head 30 and curb. Material is now filled into the curbeither through opening 3! or directly into the upper end of the curb. Itgathers on the head 24 (in the bottom) of course. When sufficient hasgathered to tamp or to be packed, the ram head 34 is rolled back abovethe curb. As it reaches position, the control valve of cylinder 35 isoperated, performing the tamping operation. After that operation, thevalve is operated to raise the head 38 and retain it raised. The ramhead is then run out to inoperative position. This procedure is repeateduntil the curb is sufliciently filled and packed. At this point, the ramhead is left in position above the curb and power is applied to piston23 for the pressing operation. As it is forced upwardly toward the ramhead 34, the liquids in the mass will be forced out through the openingsbetween staves and into the grooves or channels in the inner wall of thepress cham- I her. The heat of the jacket will keep them fluid andassist the flow. The oils, grease, etc., will accumulate in the saucerin which they will be kept fluid by the heat of chamber 20. From time totime, the accumulation in the saucer may be drawn off through the outlet4i. As the pressing action reaches the limit, as may be readilydetermined by those skilled in the art, it is stopped, andthe ram head34 is again run. out. When ing ram, the upward movement of piston 23 isresumed to upwardly eject the resulting cake, and the press chamber willbe ready to receive another charge, as before. I

While a cylindrical press chamber has been illustrated it will beunderstood that any desired cross sectional shape may be used.

It is believed that the construction, operation and use of the inventionwill be clearfrom the preceding detailed description.

Many changes may be made -in the form, construction, arrangement anddisposition of the various parts of the invention within the scope ofthe appended claims, without in any degree departing from the field andscope of the invention and it is meant to include all such within thisapplication wherein only a single form has been disclosed in thedrawings, purely by way of illustration and with no thought or intent tolimit the application by such illustration.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim and desire to protectby Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A press comprising a press chamber open at both ends, a main ramoperable therewithin, a ram head traversable across the path of operartion of said main ram, said ram head having an aperture centrallythereof and a hydraulic piston and cylinder assembly therein, a tamperconnected to said pistonand countersunk in said ram head aperturewherebyduring one operation of press chamber, a tamping member mountedon said ram head, said'ram head having an aperture centrally thereof anda hydraulic piston and cylinder assembly therein, said tamping memberbeing connected to said piston and countersunk in said ram headaperture, whereby during one operation of the device the tamper contactsthe material in the press chamber independent of the ram head and duringanother operation of the device coacts with the ram head for mutualengagement with the material in the chamber.

HOWARD F. MACMILLIN. LESLIE S. HUBBERT.

